A pair of local food truck owners are suing the City of Louisville over a law that restricts where they can park their vehicles and conduct business.

According to a news release, local food truck owners Troy King and Robert Martin will hold a press conference with the Institute for Justice (IJ) today to discuss lawsuit, which challenges the constitutionality of the city’s “150-foot proximity ban.” The law bans food trucks from operating within 150 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant, even when the truck is on private property. Plaintiffs claim the law turns large swaths of the city into “no-vending” zones for food trucks. King and Martin claim the proximity ban unfairly protects restaurants from competition.

In 2014, King purchased his first food truck, Pollo, which serves chicken and waffles, fried chicken tacos, chicken gyros, and fried chicken sandwiches. A city inspector threatened to tow his truck because King was serving customers within 150 feet of Cravings ala Carte (located at 101 S. 5th St.), a restaurant that also serves chicken dishes.

Martin’s truck, Red’s Comfort Food, sells specialty gourmet hot dogs and sausages. In 2015, a city inspector cited Martin for selling food within 150 feet of Down One Bourbon Bar, located at 321 W. Main St.

by steve coomes

Steve Coomes is a restaurant veteran turned award-winning food, spirits and travel writer. In his 25-year career, he has edited and written for multiple national trade and consumer publications including Nation's Restaurant News and Southern Living. He is a feature writer for Edible Louisville & The Bluegrass, Whisky Magazine, WhiskeyWash.com and The Bourbon Review. The author of two books, "Country Ham: A Southern Tradition of Hogs, Salt & Smoke," and the "Home Distiller's Guide to Spirits," he also serves as a ghostwriter for multiple clients.